“He called me and informed me that the villa definitely was robbed in our absence and he called the police,” said the professor.

Police tracked down two of the men who robbed the villa and arrested them in Sharjah on July 17.

“During questioning, the two suspects told police about the rest of the defendants who were all arrested the same day,” said an Emirati policeman, 37.

The policeman said the five suspects were individually taken to the villa and each gave a similar account of what happened. “Which was a confirmation that they did rob the house,” the policeman said.

He said the suspects also admitted to stealing from several other houses after ensuring the homeowners were away.

“They said they look out for unlit houses. If the houses remain unlit for a while — to make sure that there are no people inside — they drive there. One remains in the car as a look out while the rest break into the house,” said the officer.

In court last March, the defendants denied an armed robbery charge. All were convicted and will be deported after serving their terms.